The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) announced that Port Director Michael A. Leone was named the 2009-2010 Chairman of the Board to the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), at the AAPA Annual Convention held in Galveston, Texas. Leone previously held the post in 2003-2004, making him the first person in AAPA’s 98-year history to serve in this role twice.
The AAPA is the principal voice for 160 public port authorities in the US, Canada, Latin America, and the Caribbean. The association provides leadership on issues related to port operations and development. AAPA also promotes the essential role that ports play in the global transportation system.
“Mike has earned the respect of his peers and has the qualifications to lead the AAPA during these tough times.” said Thomas J. Kinton, Jr., Massport’s CEO & Executive Director. “We are proud of Mike’s achievements, both within the maritime industry and here in Boston.”
Leone brings more than 35 years of port and maritime experience to his position with AAPA. He held numerous positions in the US Coast Guard for 22 years, including Northeast regional counsel e. He came to Massport in 1993 and was Counsel to Massport’s Maritime Department before becoming port director in 1998.
Leone brought Asian cargo service to the Port of Boston. He also improved terminal optimization and efficiency at the Port of Boston with more than $100 million in port infrastructure investments and harbor dredging projects. Boston’s cruise terminal has become one of the top cruise ports in North America. Leone is committed to making maritime facilities more environmentally sound. In 2003, Conley Container Terminal became one of the first terminals in the nation to develop and implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) that has been certified to the ISO-14001 standard.
"Mike Leone is recognized by all as one of our industry leaders," said AAPA President & CEO Kurt Nagle, "In these challenging times, it will be of great benefit to AAPA and the port industry throughout the Western Hemisphere to be able to draw upon Mike Leone's significant experience and solid leadership qualities as our Chairman of the Board for this upcoming year."
For the past 10 years, Leone has been a member of AAPA’s Executive Committee and Board of Directors. He also represents Massport on the Seaport Advisory Council, Gov. Deval Patrick’s administrative panel for coordinating policy and development of the Commonwealth’s seaports. He is also the past President of the North Atlantic Ports Association that represents ports and terminals between Norfolk, VA and Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Leone is a graduate of the US Coast Guard Academy and received a J.D. from George Washington University Law School. Leone resides in Kingston, MA with his wife Mary.
